Players' Code of Conduct

1. Treat everyone involved with our team with respect and courtesy at all times, both on the court and off the court. This includes, but is not limited to, teammates, coaches, officials, and opponents.
   
   Behavior destructive to the team, unsportsmanlike behavior, profanity, or behavior that demonstrates a lack of self-control will not be tolerated at practices or in games.



2. School comes before basketball. I will do my homework and studying when I should and to the best of my abilities.
   
   Do not wait until the last day to do your homework or studying and school will rarely interfere with basketball.



3. Attend all practices, or notify a coach (ahead of time if possible) why I am unable to attend.
   
   An unexcused absence from practices may affect playing time in the following game or tournament. Two or more unexcused absences may result in suspension from the team.
   
   Any practice from which you are asked to leave due to inappropriate behavior will be treated as an unexcused absence. Missing practice because you were grounded by your parents will be treated as an unexcused absence -- so just don't do anything to get grounded.



4. Arrive at all practices ready to play at least five minutes before the scheduled start, or notify a coach (ahead of time if possible) why I will be late.
   
   An unexcused tardy at a practice may affect your playing time in the following game or tournament. Two or more unexcused tardies will be treated as an unexcused absence.



5. Arrive at all games at least thirty minutes before the scheduled tip-off time, or notify a coach (ahead of time if possible) why I will be late.
   
   An unexcused tardy at games may affect your playing time in the game or tournament, including sitting out the entire first quarter.



6. Listen carefully to all coaches' instructions. Try to the best of my ability to carry out all coaches' requests during practices and games.
   
   Players will be constantly evaluated on their demonstration of coachability, hustle, mental and physical toughness, loyalty to team, unselfishness, and the desire to improve their skills and the skills of their teammates. Attitude is important.



7. Focus on what the team is doing and try to use the practice time to improve my skills and my physical abilities, as well as those of my teammates. Work hard to develop good habits by practicing with good form, focus, intensity, and appropriate effort.
   
   Being part of a basketball team will require sacrifices, adjustments, and commitment on the part of the players, their families, and the coaches.



8. Practice good health habits: this includes getting eight or more hours sleep when possible, eating breakfast, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water every day, limiting my intake of pop, and abstaining from all alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco products.

Fans' Code of Conduct

Behavior Commentary

Why do 73% of young athletes quit playing by age 13? When asked, children say that they dropped out mostly because adults - particularly their own parents have turned the playing of sports into a joyless negative experience. While the vast majority of parents still conduct themselves with restraint and civility, it is impossible to ignore the loud, critical, ill-mannered parents also in the stands.

When asked in studies why they play sports, children invariably say they enjoy the fun, they like being with their friends, and they enjoy learning the fundamentals and improving their skills. Kids rank winning about seventh or eighth on the list. Unlike pro and college sports, in which winning often translates into money, children's games are supposed to teach skills and values - such as fair play, working with others, and dealing well with adversity - that kids can draw upon throughout their lives.

The main purpose of youth sports is to emphasize effort, participation and skill development. We are sending the wrong message when we get too invested in the outcome of a youth game - who won, who lost, who scored the most. You get start to get away from what the mission of it is.

Why do parents and coaches in youth sports act in a way they would never act in other places? Much has been written lately about the increasing violence involving spectators and coaches at youth sporting events. The MBA board is concerned about the behavior we observe at basketball games that our members are participating in. It is hard to get past the taunting of the opponents and the refs and remember the life lessons that participation in sports has to offer.

A big problem is all the ambitions that parents attach to sports, which means they come to promote not the team but strictly their child. Parents are not looking at the game itself; they're looking beyond it. Parents have become more invested - perhaps too invested - in their children's sports, some to the point of violence and vindictiveness. Experts agree that the higher the pressure from parents, the worse it is for children.

Most parents are intelligent and educated, but some manage to hide it well when cheering on their team. Stop telling your player how to play their position. Any correction should come from the coach or other players that play that position. Don't tell him when to take a shot. Shooting involves intuition and skill - his, not yours. Let the coach do his job. If you believe you could do better volunteer to help this season or next season.

Sports tend to be life with the volume turned up and that creates a tense situation. Referees have to make quick decisions. Sometimes they make wrong decisions. That's life. You need to get over it. If you disparage the ref during the game, why would you expect the players to act differently? If your player tells you to shut up, follow her advice. And stay away from the bench and the players during the game. This is not your time.

Every year we remind parents that our association has a code of conduct. This year as part of the registration process, each parent will be required to sign a sportsmanship agreement.

Rules of Conduct

1. No profanity, abusive language or negative personal remarks.
2. Let the officials do their job. Constant criticism detracts from the game.
3. Let the coaches do their job. They need and appreciate your support more than your criticism.
4. Obey rules of the game site: no smoking, no drinking, no drugs, no food in gyms, etc.
5. Physical confrontations or throwing objects onto the court are absolutely forbidden.
6. Treat the game for what it is -- a game.
7. If you are remembered as a role model, let it be as a positive one.
8. Protect the "rights" of young athletes to a safe environment, to be treated with dignity, to have fun through sport and to participate.

Sanctions for Misbehavior:

1. Individual will be given a warning.
2. Individual will be asked to leave the game.
3. Individual is banned from all youth sports events.
4. Other sanctions as deemed necessary.